Page 35 of Follow Your Instincts (Fairview City Omegaverse)

He nodded, mostly to himself, then met my eyes again.

“I didn’t think I was ever going to be ready for another pack.

But then, five years ago, I realized I was sick of being alone.

And I met Lucas and Ben, and reconnected with Soren, and we all fit together.

But most Alphas and Omegas in the Northeast know about what happened…

back then, so when we started trying to meet Omegas, they wanted nothing to do with us. ”

“What? Why? That’s so unfair,” I said.

“Maybe, but it makes sense. Who would want to be with the scarred, cursed Alpha who’s too intimidating and intense?” He smiled sadly at me, belying the bitterness in his tone.

“God, I’m such an asshole,” I said, and tried to pull my hand away from his.

“No, Maggie, you’re not,” he said, gripping my hand tighter. “You’re right. I am intense, but it’s just because I’m trying to hold on to the people I care about. And I’m terrified that if I let myself want you, you’re going to be taken from me too.”

His voice broke and he let go of my hand. He looked down at his untouched bowl of ravioli, and the music playing in the restaurant switched to something jaunty and wholly inappropriate for the situation.

“I don’t even know what to say,” I said after a few moments. “That’s so much to be carrying.”

“I’m sorry for making tonight so heavy. It’s just not fair for you to continue courting us without knowing the whole truth,” he said, still not looking up.

“What, that you’ve got a messed-up past? So do I,” I said earnestly. “Or that you’re afraid of caring about someone in case you lose them? So am I. The only constants in my life up to this point have been Kira and my job. You guys are everything I’ve been afraid of wanting.”

The server came with yet another course of food. She must have sensed the dark vibe because she hurried away before even explaining what the dish was.

“I understand if you want something different,” Lachlan said.

I tried to interrupt, but he touched the back of my hand softly and continued.

“But I think that we could be great. Our pack. With you as a part of it. If that makes me selfish, so be it. You are… incredibly important to us, to me, already.”

I took a deep, unsteady breath. “You guys are important to me, too. And I’m so sorry for what happened, Lachlan.”

He intertwined his fingers with mine. “Thank you. And thank you for letting me share and not running screaming from the building.”

“It would take much more than that to scare me away,” I said. “But I do think we need to eat some of this food before the chef comes out to kick our asses.”

Lachlan huffed a laugh .

“One more thing. I’m sorry for how I’ve acted -”

“You don’t need to apologize anymore, “I said gently. “Seriously. But you do have to start eating because I am starving, and I feel weird stuffing myself while you’re just sipping your wine.”

Lachlan smiled and finally took a bite.

The rest of the dinner was much easier. Lachlan told me about growing up in a family pack with four older sisters and how they used to dress him and Soren up like life-size dolls.

I told him stories about the trouble Kira and I used to get into in high school; sneaking out and partying and vandalizing the Catholic school we attended.

By the time the server brought out two tiny cups of decaf espresso, Lachlan was more relaxed than I’d ever seen him. He was still quiet, but I could tell that talking about his past had lightened his load a bit.

“There’s one other thing we need to talk about,” he said as we picked at the remains of a tiramisu.

“Oh god, that sounds ominous,” I said.

“Your heat,” he said. “It’s going to be coming soon.”

Fuck , I thought. Here’s where he tells you he’s not ready for such a commitment .

“I’ll talk to Steffi,” I said quickly.

“Why?” he asked.

“Well… I mean… I can’t ask you guys to help or whatever if you’re not -”

“Maggie, I think you’re misunderstanding me,” he interrupted, blushing a vibrant red. It was endearing to see him unsettled when he was usually so self-possessed. “I don’t want you to call anybody.”

“Oh,” I said, my mind going blank in pure panic.

“I’ve spoken with Lucas, Ben, and Soren, and we’d like to be there for you, if you want that, too.”

Oh , I thought. Suddenly my mind was flooded with images of Lachlan thrusting into me as I sucked on Soren’s cock and Ben whispered filthy things in my ear, stroking himself .

“Um,” I said, suddenly aware that I was perfuming wildly. “I definitely want that.”

Lachlan’s pupils blew wide as my scent reached him, and he growled softly. “I think it’s time to go home.”

As soon as we got outside, he slid his arm around my waist, holding me close. Our walk back was just as silent as the way there, but this time it was loaded with something very different.

“I kept the letter you sent to me. After the… You know,” I said.

“You did?” Lachlan looked pleased and surprised.

“Of course. And I’ve read it so many times I think I have it memorized,” I admitted.

“I’m not sure it was worth memorizing,” Lachlan said.

“It was to me. It’s the only time anyone’s ever written me a letter like that. It felt really special,” I said as we walked up the front steps.

At the front door, we stopped, and he turned to face me.

“May I kiss you goodnight?” he asked.

I nodded. Two first kisses in one day? Yes, please.

He leaned in and pressed a careful kiss to the outside corner of my lips. It was not nearly what I wanted. He went to pull away but I grabbed the back of his head, pulled him in again and crushed my mouth to his.

He responded immediately, grabbing my hips and pulling them flush against his. I felt the hard ridge of him and moaned into his mouth. He took the opportunity to sweep his tongue inside to stroke against mine.

His kiss was devouring, all-consuming. He groaned and gripped my hips punishingly hard, before sliding his hands to cup my ass and press me even tighter against him.

I rocked into him and broke our kiss to breathe.

He dragged his lips along my jaw and down to my neck, where he scraped his teeth against my pulse. Slick flooded my panties.

“Maggie,” he groaned. He panted against my throat, then slowly slid his hands back up to my waist .

“We should probably go inside,” I whispered into his chest, soaking up his scent. He chuckled but didn’t let me go. We stood holding each other and catching our breath. I wanted so much more, but this was also nice.

“Are you two just going to bang on the porch, or would you like to come inside first?” Ben opened the front door and was smirking at us like this was somehow his doing.

“You are so nosy,” I said, laughing.

“I do think Maggie should come inside,” Lucas said, appearing over Ben’s shoulder. “It’s starting to get cold.”

“Yes, fine, we’re coming,” Lachlan said. He let go of my waist but grabbed my hand instead.

“I think Lachlan was keeping her plenty warm,” Soren said as we entered the living room.

“Jealous?” I asked, sticking my tongue out at him.

“Watch it,” he growled, his eyes flaring with heat.

“I think we’re all just thrilled that Lachlan is going to stop being such a grumpy bastard all the time,” Ben said.

“Ha ha,” Lachlan said, and kissed the back of my hand. “Before we all go to bed, I just want to make sure everyone is on the same page… Maggie and I talked about her heat.”

He squeezed my hand and looked at me expectantly.

“And?” Ben said.

I laughed. “If you guys are okay with it, I’d like to spend my heat here with you.”

“Fuck yes!” Ben yelled and swung me up into his arms and I yelped at the twinge of pain in my ribs. He set me down gently again with a murmured apology.

Soren was smiling as he tucked my hair behind my ears. “I’m really glad you trust us, baby girl. We’ll take good care of you.”

I turned to Lucas. He was the only one I was nervous about, since this decision would probably lead to some questions from the rest of the pack. He was smiling, though, as I tucked myself into his arms.

“Is this okay?” I whispered.

“Sugar, I’m here for you, whatever you need. I’m just so happy that you’re staying,” he whispered back.

I leaned back to look at him, and he kissed my nose. “Me too.”